Fiber Installation in Duvall

Who Is Performing the Work?

The fiber installation is not being performed by the City. It is being completed by private telecommunications providers and their contractors, including:

  • Comcast (and its authorized contractors; e.g. Cablecom, Netvision, Sound Drilling, etc.)
  • Ziply Fiber (and its authorized contractors; North Sky Communications, etc.)

The City’s role is limited to permitting, inspection, and ensuring work in the public right‑of‑way meets City standards.

Where are they working? Updated 3/26/2026
This information is subject to change and may not include all locations actively being worked.
  • Comcast - work suspended; set to resume 4/6/2026
  • Ziply - North Sky Communications in Parkwood Estates
A construction crew next to the sidewalk is installing fiber using a directional drilling machine.

What Work Is Happening?

Private utility providers are installing underground fiber‑optic cable within public streets, sidewalks, and utility easements. 

This work typically includes:

  • Underground boring or trenching
  • Installation of conduit and fiber lines
  • Placement of handholes or vaults
  • Temporary pavement, sidewalk, or landscape restoration
  • Final permanent restoration at a later date

Construction may occur in phases and move block‑by‑block through neighborhoods. Contractors are required to provide notice prior to work starting, typically done using door hangers.

Right‑of‑Way Permits

Any work within public streets, sidewalks, or City‑owned right‑of‑way requires an approved Right‑of‑Way (ROW) Permit from the City of Duvall.

ROW permits help ensure:

  • Safe traffic control and pedestrian access
  • Protection of existing utilities
  • Proper restoration of pavement, sidewalks, and landscaping
  • Compliance with City construction standards

Permit approval does not mean the City is directing or endorsing the project—it confirms the work meets safety and infrastructure requirements.

What Is 811 Utility Locating?

Before digging or boring, utility providers must call 811 to locate existing underground utilities such as:

  • Water, sewer, and stormwater pipes
  • Gas lines
  • Power and communication cables

Marked utilities help contractors avoid damage and service disruptions. If you see spray paint or flags in the ground, these are temporary utility markings required by state law prior to excavation.

Learn about 811: https://digsafewashington.com/.

What do the colors mean?

  • WHITE- Proposed Excavation 
  • PINK - Temporary Survey Markings 
  • RED - Electric Power Lines, Cables, Conduit and Lighting Cables 
  • YELLOW - Gas, Oil, Steam, Petroleum or Gaseous Materials 
  • ORANGE - Communication, Alarm or Signal Lines, Cables or Conduit 
  • BLUE - Potable Water 
  • PURPLE - Reclaimed Water, Irrigation and Slurry Lines 
  • GREEN - Sewers and Drain Lines

What Happens If an Underground Utility Is Damaged?

Washington law (RCW 19.122) sets clear steps when underground utilities—such as water, sewer, gas, power, or fiber—are damaged during excavation.

1. Immediate Reporting Is Required
The person or contractor who caused the damage must immediately notify the utility owner.
If the damage creates a dangerous situation (for example, a gas release), 911 must also be called.

The damage must also be reported to the state through the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission damage reporting system.

2. Safety Comes First
If there is any risk to public safety, the area must be secured and appropriate emergency response procedures followed.

3. Repairs Must Be Arranged Promptly
Once notified, the utility owner will arrange for repair or restoration of the damaged facility as soon as practical. In some cases, the utility owner may coordinate with the excavator to complete repairs.

Damaged facilities may not be buried or concealed before they are repaired.

4. Responsibility and Costs
Under state law, parties who fail to follow excavation requirements may be responsible for repair costs and may be subject to civil penalties. Additional claims or liabilities may apply depending on the circumstances.

What to Expect During Construction

Residents may notice:

  • Construction crews and equipment in the street or sidewalk
  • Temporary lane or parking restrictions
  • Noise, dust, or vibration during boring
  • Temporary patches in pavement, sidewalks, and landscaping

Final restoration may occur weeks or months after initial installation, depending on weather, pavement standards, and inspection schedules.

Helpful Visuals

Aerial image overlaid by property lines shows right-of-way and utility easement on private property

The image above depicts the area of road right-of-way which typically includes the roadway, on-street parking, landscape strip, and sidewalk. The right-of-way often extends beyond the street or sidewalk, depending on the improvements installed. In addition, utility easements beyond the right-of-way are common, though the width varies it is typically not more than 10 feet. This information can be found on the plat map for your neighborhood.


A drilling technician using monitoring equipment to track the drilling head underground.

The above image shows a vactor truck used for vacuum excavation, in the center is a drilling machine used for underground boring (also know as horizontal directional drilling), and to the right is a technician with monitoring equipment that is tracking the location of the head of the drilling machine.


A drilling machine sitting in the roadway

Above is another example of a drilling machine. In the center the contractor is digging a hole to anchor the drilling machine. Additional holes will be excavated in the pavement where the underground boring will cross other utilities. This is called potholing and allows the contractor to confirm the location of underground utilities to avoid them.


Concrete sidewalk panel with temporary asphalt patch and painted white arrows.

The above image shows a concrete sidewalk panel with a temporary asphalt patch. The white paint indicates that the sidewalk panel requires replacement. In the background are a new communications vault lid and existing pedestals with locating flags marking the presence of other underground facilities.


Image of a new asphalt patch with sealed edges

A final restoration pavement patch with sealed edges.


Who to Contact

Questions About Construction Activity

For questions about active construction, service installation, or property access, contact the utility provider directly:

City of Duvall – Public Works

Contact the City if you have concerns about:

  • Work occurring in the public right‑of‑way
  • Traffic control or pedestrian safety
  • Permit or inspection questions

Stephanie Sullivan, Associate City Engineer 

  • Phone: 425-989-8036

Additional Information

Fiber installation is a common and necessary process to expand broadband infrastructure. The City appreciates residents’ patience while this work is underway and remains focused on ensuring construction is performed safely and restored appropriately.